Lesson 3 – Figures of Speech

Imagery Imagery is the use of words to create pictures, or images, in your mind. Appeals to the five senses: smell, sight, hearing, taste and touch. Details about smells, sounds, colors, and taste create strong images. To create vivid images writers use figures of speech.

Figures of Speech Figures of speech are tools that writers use to create images, or “paint pictures,” in your mind. Similes, metaphors, and personification are three figures of speech that create imagery.

Simile A simile compares two things using the words “like” or “as.” Comparing one thing to another creates a vivid image. (See next slide for example.) The runner streaked like a cheetah.

Simile Example An emerald is as green as grass, A ruby red as blood; Flint An emerald is as green as grass, A ruby red as blood; A sapphire shines as blue as heaven; A flint lies in the mud. A diamond is a brilliant stone, To catch the world’s desire; An opal holds a fiery spark; But a flint holds fire. By Christina Rosetti

The winter wind is a wolf howling at the door. Metaphor A metaphor compares two things without using the words “like” or “as.” Gives the qualities of one thing to something that is quite different. (See next slide for example.) The winter wind is a wolf howling at the door.

Metaphor Example The Night is a Big Black Cat The moon is her topaz eye, The stars are the mice she hunts at night, In the field of the sultry sky. By G. Orr Clark

Personification Personification gives human traits and feelings to things that are not human – like animals or objects. (See next slide for example.) The moon smiled down at me.

Personification Example From “Mister Sun” Mister Sun Wakes up at dawn, Puts his golden Slippers on, Climbs the summer Sky at noon, Trading places With the moon. by J. Patrick Lewis

“I am” Poem An “I Am” poem is meant to help you express yourself as an individual. “I Am” poems comes in different formulas.

Example 1 I am (two special characteristics) I wonder (something you are actually curious about) I hear (an imaginary sound) I see (an imaginary sight) I want (an actual desire) I am (the first line of the poem restated) I pretend (something you pretend to do) I feel (a feeling about something imaginary) I touch (an imaginary touch) I worry (something that really bothers you) I cry (something that makes you very sad) I am (the first line of the poem repeated) I understand (something you know is true) I say (something you believe in) I dream (something you actually dream about) I try (something you make an effort to do) I hope (something you actually hope for)

I am confused and alone. I wonder when someone will realize that I am only pretending. I hear distant buzzards cawing. I see the flying leaves. I want to feel comfortable and safe. I am confused and alone I pretend that I am what they think I am. I feel like it’s only a matter of time. I touch my face and wonder why it’s mine. I worry that someday I will touch a different face. I cry because sometimes there is nothing else I can do. I understand that life is finite. I say “Know me and love me for who I am if you can.” I dream that I will find my place and settle. I try to run, but I am stuck in the same place. I hope the buzzards won’t recognize

Another option Just Because I’m… Doesn’t mean… And doesn’t mean… (Question) (Statement)

Just Because Just Because I’m a teacher Doesn’t mean that I am out of the loop. Doesn’t mean that I have no sense. And doesn’t mean that I don’t know what’s cool. Just because I’m an adult Doesn’t mean that I don’t watch TV. Doesn’t mean that I don’t play video games. Doesn’t mean that I don’t have a clue. Just because I have some authority Doesn’t mean that I don’t text when I’m not supposed to. Doesn’t mean that I follow all of the rules. Doesn’t mean that you can pull one over on me. Just because I’m a teacher Does it make me not a person? What makes you think that I am clueless? Who are you to think that I’m not awesome? If only you really knew who I am…

Example 3 Ryk-- intelligent, curious, witty, poetic, firstborn son of Richard Sr. and Dixie, likes comic books, green Kool-Aid, and The Monkees, feels happy almost all of the time, afraid of growing old and dying alone in the dark, would like to see daybreak from Saturn-- Stanton Art-- rushed, fun-loving, laid back, intelligent, firstborn son of Barbara, likes reading, surfing the net, and old movies, feels under pressure right now, afraid of not being a good enough teacher, would like to see his book get published-- Belliveau L1- first name L2 - four adjectives that describe you L3 - tells where you are in your family and gives your parents' names L4 - names three things you like L5 - tells how you feel L6 - tells what you are afraid of L7 - tells what you would like to see L8 - last name

End of Lesson Complete “I Am” poem